Surly LHT - Is It Time To Change Out My Brakes? (Pictures)

Some 4,000 KM later, I probably have to change out my brakes. Squealing was constant and I noticed that a small piece of stone was lodged in the brake pads. I am concerned that it ruined my rims. I felt my rims and it did feel slightly rough but not out of the ordinary. The brake pads seem to be thinning out. Someone tell me that my observations are correct.

Stone was lodged here.

Uneven brake pad wear.

Slight shimmering. What does it mean?

Thinned out.

What cantilever brakes do you guys suggest? Kool Stop or Avenir Sticky Fingers? I don't really want to spend more money than necessary.

+1 on Kool Stops. I was amazed at the difference in stopping between my stock LHT pads and a set of KS Eagle 2's. Brake pads are one of those things that once you change them out, you realize how bad you've had it.

this style is a derivation of Mafac cantilevers, which went on bikes since late the late 40's so rather traditional, by now.

return them to where you bought them, and exchange them for what you needed.

now with the sales of Cyclocross bikes , there are 2 sorts of long threaded brake shoe
differing only in length of pad.. cross forks in the front are a bit narrower,
so shorter brake shoes favor mid race Tire/wheel changes on the Pit bike.

same thing with plain post brakes , the TRP are a short shoe,
the eagle claw is a longer pad.

They don't fit my cantilever system, fietsbob. Unless you can show me how I can make it work together.

as well as using softer pads such as kool stop salmon coloured ones, I highly recommend extending the life of your rims and having quieter braking by wiping down your rims after rides in rain. When you get home after a wet ride, all the gritty gunge from the road ends up on your rims, just take 1 min and wipe down the rims with an old rag, you will be suprised how much grit ends up on the rag--ie not staying on your rim and pads, so less abrasive stuff over time, and longer quieter rim and pad life.
also good to peek at pads sometimes for the stuff that can get embedded in them.

another reason to be familiar with your bike with regular maintenance and keeping it clean--at least drivetrain and rims in any case. Think of it as not too much time well spent and all the bits and bobs on your bike will work better and last longer (plus we tend to notice stuff that is coming loose more often if we go over our bikes regularly)

I have not tried the others , I thought about the dual compound Mt pads for my last swap. The little voice in my head was saying " WHY are you going to change from the one you like so much?" . At some point you really need to stop the endless search for the greener pastures and just enjoy what you got.

I've used dual compound in the past with fine results. IT was my thought that the salmon is a softer compound so it's grippier and wears faster but does give better braking. I consider brake pads a dirt cheap consumable. I mean honestly, if you ride your bike everyday like I do, a $50 pair of brake pads 2x a year shouldn't bother you when you consider that people with cars spend that much each week on gas!